While the popularity of motorcycle shows has waned over the past few years, EICMA is always one of the biggest. Now on its 110th edition, the event will see the notable return of KTM after a five year hiatus in what the brand has announced will be a ‘stellar portfolio for the future’ featuring many new model announcements as well as technology developments. Let’s take a look at what the Orange brand has confirmed is in store on the ADV and Dual Sport side.

390 Adventure R

At last! After years of speculation and spy shots KTM has finally confirmed the upcoming unveiling of the much-awaited 390 Adventure R. As you may already know, the “R” designation indicates this will be a more dirt-focused model than the current 390 Adventure, and spy shots showing more aggressive tires and a high front fender validate that. We expect to see a better suspension with more travel, as well as 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels as befitting a truly dirt-capable adventure bike. We also hope that KTM has addressed the forward-sloping footpeg angle that has disappointed some riders of the current model.

While KTM mentions the new 390 Adventure R, it does not mention a standard 390 Adventure like the one we have now. Perhaps KTM will only bring the R model to the US, moving its small ADV offering in a far more dirt-oriented direction than the current model.

390 SMC R

Those who want a more street-focused machine than the 390 Adventure R may want to choose the new 2025 KTM 390 SMC R. Judging from the current 690 SMC R, this should be a supermoto version of the 390. KTM will have likely taken the current 390 Adventure as a starting point, then created two new models going in opposite directions, with the 390 SMC R focused more on pavement adventures. KTM currently has no small supermoto in the lineup, so this will be an interesting addition. We expect to see the standard supermoto treatment here, with bigger brakes, 17-inch wheels front and rear, and perhaps a lower, stiffer suspension for better handling on the road. We might even get a headlight mask instead of a windscreen.

390 Enduro R

Another new small KTM mentioned is the 390 Enduro R. Once again, this will likely follow in the footsteps of the 690 Enduro R, being usable on the street but optimized for the trails. We expect to see a smaller fuel tank for reduced weight, a high fender, and a headlight mask instead of a windscreen. Larger 21-inch front and 18-inch wheels are virtually required, as well as even more suspension travel and higher ground clearance than the Adventure R. We may even see lower gearing than the other 390 models for better performance on the trails.

KTM plans to unveil all three 390 variants at EICMA this month. Although, they may just be in prototype form. Full specs and details will be released later in the year.

1390 Super Adventure R / S EVO

One of KTM’s worst-kept secrets has been an engine size increase from 1290 to 1390 on their flagship Super Adventure models. The 2024 1390 Super Duke R EVO has already received this super-sized engine, so it makes sense that it’s coming to the liter-plus Adventure family perhaps with tuning more appropriate for an adventure bike.

Specifically, KTM has confirmed the upcoming unveiling of both a dirt-oriented 1390 Super Adventure R and 1390 Super Adventure S EVO with ground-breaking tech (believed to include the next-generation Bosch radar-based systems) that will be presented leading up to EICMA. The EVO designation refers to the addition of KTM’s Semi-Active Suspension, again based on the 2024 1390 Super Duke’s naming conventions. The 2024 1290 Super Adventure S already had this system, so we believe the addition of the EVO moniker is a way to differentiate between new models that do and do not have Semi-Active Suspension. We also expect this next-gen Super Adventure S EVO to feature KTM’s first semi-automatic transmission (AMT) as an option.

While there will be a 1390 Super Adventure S for 2025, KTM has told us that the non-EVO version will not be coming to the US. It is most likely a less expensive model without the fancy suspension and perhaps some other cost-cutting measures. 

KTM will formally unveil the 1390 Super Adventure S EVO at EICMA on October 22. And while the 1390 Super Adventure R will also be available, details on this model will not be announced until later this year.

UPDATE: KTM North America has given an update on the KTM 1390 SUPER ADVENTURE R and KTM 1390 SUPER ADVENTURE S EVO availability. Due to production timelines, both units will come to North America as 2026 models, a year later than in Europe.

KTM Freeride E

KTM’s efforts with electric R&D and the march of tomorrow’s technology will also be on display with the unveiling of a 2025 KTM FREERIDE E dual sport. Based on VIN documents recently filed with the NHTSA, the electric bike is reported to boast a battery capacity of 5.54 kW and between 26-33 horsepower. Whether it will have a swappable battery or other details like range are still elusive so we’ll have to wait until its debut in Milan to see what exactly KTM has up their sleeves.

Automated Manual Transmission

Motorcyclists have typically not taken the idea of an automatic transmission seriously, at least until Honda introduced its dual-clutch transmission in several models, including the Africa Twin. BMW followed with its Automated Shift Assistant. KTM is now jumping on the automatic bandwagon as well, with their Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) taking center stage at EICMA as its first major presentation on October 8.

Some of the details about the tech are already known. Most of the transmission is the same as its fully manual counterpart. As expected, AMT adds an actuator to move the selector drum. Unlike Honda and BMW, however, it also adds an interlocking pawl to provide a “park” setting, just like an automatic transmission car. We don’t know if this will replace a parking brake or be used in conjunction with one. It also uses a centrifugal clutch like a scooter, a much simpler design than automating a traditional manual clutch. This may also solve a common complaint of Honda’s DCT being difficult to operate at slow speeds within a traditional clutch’s friction zone.

Next-Gen Advanced Rider Assistance System

As previously reported, we expect to see Bosch’s Advanced Rider Assistance System (ARAS) on the 1390 Super Adventure S EVO as well. The current 1290 Super Adventure S already has adaptive cruise control, but ARAS will provide even more advanced functionality. On a motorcycle also equipped with AMT, Adaptive Cruise Control/Stop & Go (ACC/S&G) will be able to bring the bike to a complete stop if traffic ahead of the rider stops. When traffic starts moving again, pressing a button or briefly accelerating will reactivate ACC/S&G and continue to follow the vehicle ahead, regardless of speed. Group Ride Assist has the power to track movements of bikes in the vicinity while riding in a staggered formation, matching the speed of the bike ahead and to the side rather than directly ahead of the rider. 

ARAS also includes radar warning and safety systems, front and rear. Riding Distance Assist helps you maintain a safe following distance behind traffic ahead, while Emergency Brake Assist helps apply maximum braking in an emergency situation. Out back, Rear Distance Warning lets you know if a vehicle behind you is coming too close for comfort, and Rear Collision Warning alerts vehicles approaching too quickly that may not see the motorcycle. 

8.8” TFT Dashboard

A larger 8.8-inch TFT display will replace the current 7-inch display on certain models, likely starting with the new 1390 line. KTM says the user interface is brand new, has new connectivity features, improved customization options, and a revised switch cube handlebar layout with upgraded simplicity. A user interface can make or break a system, no matter how good its screen is, but we look forward to seeing KTM’s improvements on the current design when it is revealed on October 10.

EICMA runs from November 7th to the 10th in Milan. To keep up with all of KTM’s presentations, check out the 2025 KTM Launchpad with all of the important dates.

Author: Justin Hughes

Justin has been an automotive and motorcycle journalist for the past 10 years. After learning to ride on a series of Suzuki GSs, he took up touring on a Honda Silverwing and PC800 before turning his attention to off-road adventures. His racing experience is mainly with cars, although he did do a track day once on a KLR650. He has traveled with his cat, Lister, to 44 states in his “moto-glamping” camper van, Smokey Da Van, with his V-Strom 650 in tow.